Polar Ice Vessels & Ramming
Ocean going research vessels require accurate and precise navigation as all oceanographic sampling is associated with a time and location.Navigation methods have changed from earlier traditional methods of using sextant and chronometer to satellite positioning. Polar research vessels features incorporate endurance upto 90 days, helicopter support, special provisions for cold weather work such as enclosed winch rooms , heated decks and icebreaking capability. The icebreaking capability is termed as the ability to break a given thickness of level ice at 3 knots continuous speed and transit ice ridges by ramming. Cores and data collected during each scientific cruise and drilling exercise for offshore hydrocarbons are stored at shore based facilities for subsequent utilisation and research by scientists.
US exploits its massive EEZ
The Exclusive Economic Zone of the United State is almost 4.3 million sq. miles. To drive the US blue economy availability of reliable data is essential. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) two oceanographic vessels are being constructed at a cost of $ 178 million.Each vessel will operate with a crew of 20 and can accommodate up to 28 scientists. NOAA currently has a fleet of 15 research and survey ships operated by Corps officers and civilian professional mariners. The ships conduct around 100 missions annually to gather data critical for nautical charts, fishery quotas, storm surge modeling, climate research, shallow coastal, fish migrations, regional ocean currents , continental shelf and worldwide ocean survey and data collection .These vessels routinely deploy scientific instruments to collect weather and water column data, conduct seafloor mapping ,survey marine life, temperature variations, climate and ocean ecosystem studies besides conducting mapping operations and supporting remotely operated vehicle dives in unexplored deepwater areas.
US Universities own Oceanographic Vessels
Three oceanographic research vessels are being constructed as part of a project led by Oregon State University and funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation to evaluate the impact of changing ocean conditions and human activities on marine environment. A Regional Class Research Vessel costs almost $ 125 million .On these vessels 3 week long trips are possible enabling scientists to study one of the world’s largest coral reefs, which is declared as a national marine sanctuary ,located on the ocean shelf off Texas and Louisiana.
Authored by Nadir Mumtaz
Credit ; https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/research-vessel
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